Saracen is a band I recall a little from the NWOBHM days. When me mate Rob told me their new album is rather jolly good it jolted me in to realising I’d not written about the band on this blog. So time to put that right. And at the same time review their new one Redemption. I trust me mate Rob’s musical judgement so an order was placed. Rob’s got it right. Saracen’s latest is monster, monster.
So before review, brief history lesson. Saracen metamorphosed from a band called Lammergier who changed their name to Saracen in around 1980/81 as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal was at a peak. Rather than the typical NWOBHM riffage based attack, Saracen had quite some finesse back then mixing heavy metal with a progressive/symphonic overtone producing quite an epic sound. This was evident on their debut album entitled Heroes, Saints & Fools. That saw the light of day in 1981 and sold well enough to crack the top 50 UK albums chart.
Lots of touring and high profile support slots and things looked good for Saracen on the back of that debut. Alas, those good things never happened and another NWOBHM statistic – plus one to the “shudda been bigga” column. A follow up eventually same out in 1984 though with a change of musical direction and that was that. Saracen faded away.
Now with further proof that you can’t keep a good (NWOBHM) band down, back they came in 2006 with Vox In Excelso (concept album around the Knights Templar) and in 2001 with Marilyn (another concept about the world’s most famous Marilyn – don’t tell me you don’t know……). I’ve ordered both on the back of how great the current album Redemption is (thanks again Rob).
So, on to Redemption. It’s taken over as my pleasant surprise of the year album. A sort of a new wave of British heavy pomp symphonic progressive metal all mixed together. Full of driving guitars, crisp keys/synths overlaid with atmospherics, big back beat and anthemic vocals. The keyboard intro to the opener – Rocamadour – hooks the listener immediately then when the guitars some in over the top BAM. A powerful combination with atmospheric vocals creating quite a sound. Awesome.
The second cut, Reacher, continues in a similar vein and it’s all proper, proper stuff throughout. Epic heavy/pomp/symphonic rock. A couple of songs from Heroes, Saints & Fools get an updating – Crusader and Ready To Fly – and sound awesome. The two stand-out tracks especially ready to Fly with the extended close and the almost hypnotic guitar/key duelling. Swords of Damascus pushes them close with its driving epic sound.
It’s all first rate stuff. To try and label it – think along the lines of a heavier Magnum plus Demons and Wizards era Uriah Heep and a sprinkling of Grand Illusion era Styx with a fresh modern sound and big production.
Redemption has been on repeat in the car for over a week now. I think it’ll stay there until Vox In Excelso and Marilyn arrive…….Thanks again to me mate Rob for putting me on to this one and rediscovering Saracen. I’d say take Rob’s advice get it. Monster, monster.
>> CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT SARACEN REDEMPTION FOR YOURSELF <<
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